Method and apparatus for controlling charging of a service

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for controlling charging of a service in a communication network comprising in an Online Charging System OCS receiving a request message for charging of the service from a charging client where the request message is including at least data identifying a first communication network account to charge for the service. A system utilization indicator is accessed representing a computer resource utilization value of a node involved in providing the service. Based on at least the system utilization indicator a determined service usage quota is determined, including a determined service usage quota attribute, to be reserved for from the account. The service usage quota is reserved for from the account and an answer message is transmitted to the charging client including the determined service usage quota attribute of the service usage quota reserved for from the account to be applied in controlling the service.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Phase Entry Applicationfrom PCT/SE2011/050566, filed May 5, 2011, designating the UnitedStates, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entiretyby reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controllingcharging of services in a communication network.

BACKGROUND

Operators of communication networks face a challenge in how to securemobile broadband revenues.

The tremendous uptake in mobile broadband subscribers and data volumewill require substantial investments in operators' telecominfrastructure. On the other hand, users will expect their operator todeliver the service experience they have paid for. Thus, operatorrevenues from mobile broadband rely on satisfied customers.

A small fraction of the users generates traffic exceeding those ofnormal users with magnitude. In many networks, these heavy users areconsuming a quite large part of the network resources today. Experienceshows that heavy users normally constitutes of 5-10% of the totalsubscribers, but could consume 70-85% of the network resources. It hasbeen shown that often the heavy users are the biggest consumers of thenetwork resources also during busy hour.

However, operators need to secure there investments in communicationsinfrastructure by safeguarding their revenue by limiting their creditrisks.

Operators limit their credit risk by using real time charging systemswherein authorization of services is continuously under surveillance ofthe charging system.

Irrespective of whether a subscriber is given a zero credit limitthereby having to prepay for their services, or are allowed a non-zerocredit limit to be paid after the service is rendered, e.g. via amonthly bill, real time charging is used to secure that subscribercannot exceed its allowed credit limit.

For similar reasons end users expect control over their charges anddemands an equally safe control over their spending.

Today and in the future, operators are introducing new premium services,for example ring tones download, TV, video streaming, VoIP, etc. To makesure that the subscribers get the best end user experience whileconsuming these premium services real time charging is used to safeguardoperator credit risk and end user spending control while these servicesare when being accessed.

In order to handle charging control coping with the increased need forreal time credit control, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPPhas in TS 32.299 V10.1.0 (2011-03) specified a Diameter based offlineand online charging applications for 3GPP networks. The offline chargingmechanism is where charging information does not affect, in real-time,the service rendered. In contrast, online charging is the chargingmechanism where charging information can affect, in real-time, theservice rendered and therefore a direct interaction of the chargingmechanism with session/service control is required.

However, a problem with the charging architecture as defined by 3GPP isthat it does not provide a mechanism to handle the increased signalingand load on the communication network when the number of requests in agiven time interval increases due to higher demands on accuracy, morefrequent users and/or increasing number of services often used inparallel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus forcontrolling charging of a service in a communication network mitigatingthe increased signaling and load on the communication network when thenumber of requests in a given time interval increases due to higherdemands on accuracy, more frequent users and/or increasing number ofservices often used in parallel.

The invention relates to a method performed by an Online Charging SystemOCS for controlling charging of a service in a communication networkcomprising the steps of receiving a request message for charging of theservice from a charging client where the request message is including atleast data identifying a first communication network account to chargefor the service. A system utilization indicator is accessed representinga computer resource utilization value of a node involved in providingthe service. Based on at least the system utilization indicator adetermined service usage quota is determined, including a determinedservice usage quota attribute, to be reserved for from the account. Theservice usage quota is reserved for from the account and an answermessage is transmitted to the charging client including the determinedservice usage quota attribute of the service usage quota reserved forfrom the account to be applied in controlling the service.

An advantage of the invention is the lower hardware and network capacityneed for the communication network during traffic peaks. It will also bepossible to increase the network signaling during low network usage. Afurther advantage is that the network will be less likely to rejecttraffic due to system load.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an online credit controlsystem OCS for controlling charging of a service in a communicationnetwork comprising an interface unit adapting the OCS for receiving arequest message for charging of the service from a charging client. Therequest message is including at least data identifying a firstcommunication network account to charge for the service. The OCS alsocomprises a determination unit adapting the OCS for:

-   (i) accessing a system utilization indicator representing a computer    resource utilization value of a node involved in providing the    service;-   (ii) determining based on at least the system utilization indicator    a determined service usage quota, including a determined service    usage quota attribute, to be reserved for from the account; and-   (iii) reserving for the service usage quota from the account. The    interface unit is further adapting the OCS for transmitting an    answer message to the charging client including the determined    service usage quota attribute of the service usage quota reserved    for from the account to be applied in controlling the service.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail withreference to the enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example online chargingarchitecture wherein the invention is useful.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the controlling of charging ofservices according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the working of the OCS according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart showing session charging withreservation/centralized unit determination and centralized rating usingthe invention according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 a message sequence chart showing session charging with unitreservation according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method forcontrolling services in a communication network according to theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of an OnlineCredit Control system for controlling charging of a service in acommunication network in the form of a computing system environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refersto the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the followingdetailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope ofthe invention is defined by the appended claims. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram showing an example online charging architecture wherein theinvention is useful.

A Communication network 100 provides functions that implement onlinecharging mechanisms as charging clients in charging trigger functionsCTF of Network Elements NE on the core network 105 (e.g. Evolved PacketCore EPC), subsystem 110 (e.g. IP Multimedia Subsystem IMS) and service115 (e.g. Multimedia Messaging System MMS) levels. In order to supportthese charging mechanisms, the network performs real-time monitoring ofrequired network resource usage on the above three levels in order todetect the relevant chargeable events.

In online charging, a subscriber account, located in an Online ChargingSystem OCS 120, is queried prior to granting permission to use therequested network resource(s).

Typical examples of network resource usage are a voice call of certainduration, the transport of a certain volume of data, or the submissionof a multimedia message of a certain size. The network resource usagerequests may be initiated by a User Equipment UE or by the network.

Online charging is a process where charging information for networkresource usage is collected concurrently with that resource usage.However, authorization for the network resource usage is obtained by thenetwork prior to the actual resource usage occurs. This authorization isgranted by the Online Charging System upon request from the network.

When receiving a network resource usage request the Charging TriggerFunction CTF 125 of the network assembles the relevant charginginformation and generates a charging event towards the Online ChargingFunction OCF 130 of the OCS in real-time. The OCS then returns anappropriate resource usage authorization. The resource usageauthorization may be limited in its scope (e.g. quota of volume of dataor duration), therefore the authorization may have to be renewed fromtime to time as long as the network resource usage persists.

The charging events are forwarded to the OCF in order to obtainauthorization including a service usage quota for the chargeableevent/network resource usage requested by the UE or network. The CTF isalso able to track the availability of resource usage permission (“quotasupervision”) during the network resource usage.

Online charging in the Circuit Switched CS and Packet Switched PSdomains may also be performed using the Customized Applications forMobile networks Enhanced Logic CAMEL Application Part CAP protocol andthe CAP reference point from the Mobile Switching Centre MSC and ServingGPRS Support Node SGSN, respectively, to the Online Charging Function.Other network elements may employ the Ro reference point 235 for onlinecharging using Diameter Credit Control application. Similarly, Woreference point may be employed for Wireless Local Area Network WLAN anda Gy reference point may be employed for Policy and Charging ControlPCC.

The Ro reference point from the Charging Trigger Function CTF 125 to theOnline Charging Function OCF 130 is intended for the transport ofcharging events for online charging. The Ga 140 reference point is theinterface between the OCF and the Charging Gateway Function CGF 145which connects the Billing Domain BD 150 over the Bo 155 referencepoint.

The Ro reference point supports interaction between a Charging TriggerFunction and an Online Charging Function. The following information mayflow across this reference point:

-   -   Charging events for online charging from the CTF to the OCF.    -   Receive Acknowledgements for these charging events from the OCF        to the CTF. The acknowledgement grants or rejects the network        resource usage requested in the charging event, according to the        decision taken by the OCS.

The CAP reference point provides similar functionality for onlinecharging as Ro, however, it is based on CAMEL techniques.

Different mappings of the online charging functions, CTF, OCF and CGF,onto physical implementations are possible.

Each CTF may have an OCF address list to which it can send its chargingevents and/or charging requests. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing thecontrolling charging of services according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

The requesting node, for example User Equipment UE 210 sets up a sessionwith the network element NE 230 and asks for a quota of X units ofservice usage (request X) in message 220 to start e.g. a telephony call.

A CTF 125 in the NE sends a credit control request for charging of aservice including data identifying an account to charge for the serviceto an OCF 130 of an OCS 120 in step 240 asking for the X units ofservice usage. In another example no units of service usage is specifiedin the request. The network elements, one or many, involved in providingthe service may have the ability to append its computer resourceutilization value to the request. (request X, optionally appending asystem utilization indicator). The request 240 is received by anInterface Unit IU 245.

A system utilization indicator representing the computer resourceutilization value, either gathered from the request or based on localsystem/server measuring points is evaluated by a Determination Unit DU250 of the OCF 230. If the computer resource utilization is above apre-configured threshold the requested quota is modified by apre-determined modification factor Y (i.e. reserve funds for f(X,Y) fromaccount).

Thus, by altering the quota based on computer resource utilization inthe OCS and/or an NE it will be possible to alter the network systemperformance for varying network load.

Computer resource utilization may be number of requests received pertime unit e.g. calls per second, CPU usage, power consumption, a degreeof physical hardware failures or warnings, pre-reported utilizationbased on earlier measurements of e.g. traffic, real-time networkreported load, memory usage, database need etc.

The OCS will determine a modified attribute of the quota of serviceusage when any involved NE is affected by a computer resourceutilization deviating from a threshold value. Thereby a default serviceusage quota attribute of units that are normally pre-configured in thecommunication network may be increased during heavy load, or decreasedduring low load. The service usage quota attribute may be for examplenumber of units or a service usage quota validity time.

In step 260 a response message from the OCS towards the requesting NE issent giving the service usage quota modified by the pre-determinedfactor Y (i.e. grant f(X,Y)). The response to the NE will contain aservice usage quota to use other than the originally requested X unitsand the network element waits with any signaling until the total f(X,Y)units has passed, are consumed, or the session is ended.

The requested service will be delivered to the UE under surveillance ofthe CTF 125 in step 270, ensuring that the received service usage quotais not exceeded.

In one example scenario the network element 230 is a Gateway GPRSSupport Node GGSN. During a high-profile football event the GGSN for anetwork operator is beginning to reach its capacity peak. All IP-TV datasessions generated by user equipments 210 connected to the GGSN iscausing extensive network signaling and a system load of say 95%. Ifadditional system load is received the GGSN may be forced to startthrottling the requests.

For this example, the normal data sessions use a service usage quotasize of 500 kb and a requested validity time of 10 minutes (i.e. thetime window during which a received quota is valid).

In this example scenario the GGSN appends a system utilization indicatorto the charging protocol (for instance the Diameter charging) for eachrequest 240 towards the OCS. The system utilization indicator isreflecting the load level that is current on the GGSN.

The DU 250 receives the request for session usage of 500 kb during amaximum of 10 minutes.

The system utilization indicator is evaluated and based on previousconfiguration the value is determined to be too high. The requestedunits (500 kb) are altered before any account reservation is made. Acheck may be made if the account allows system utilization based serviceusage quota. The factor for reservations is then set to for instance 10.

The DU when performing rating based reservation on the account will tryto reserve funds for a service usage quota of 5000 kb (500 kb*10). TheDU will also grant the response to be valid for 100 minutes (10 min*10),using the validity time. As alternatives, the DU may either reservefunds for the modified service usage quota or modify the validity time.

The effect of the modified service usage quota is that the GGSN does notneed to report to the OCS 120 until all 5000 kb are used up (or in 100minutes), this will cause the system network signaling to decrease.

The determination of whether the account allows system load based quotascan be determined based on available account balance, subscription type,convergence, subscriber status, offerings etc.

In another example scenario the network element 230 is a MobileSwitching Centre MSC. During the Thanksgiving weekend the networks forseveral operators are at a high load during late afternoon due to manypeople calling home. In this case the system that is the bottle-neck isthe OCS 120.

In this example the MSC will request to get 60 seconds of voice coveragein step 240. The OCS receives the request for voice service during 60seconds. The OCS internal calls per second parameter is determined to beat 80%. A pre-set configuration will then use the factor 1.5 on allsubscribers whereby the rating based reservation on the account will tryto reserve funds for 90 seconds. If funds are available it will alsogrant 90 seconds instead of 60. This will cause that the MSC does notneed to report back to the OCS until after 90 seconds or if the sessionends. For long lasting calls this will then cause a decrease insignaling towards the OCS by a factor of 1.5.

As yet another example scenario, at a normal Tuesday weekend nightbetween 4 and 5 am the network is only utilized at a 5% level. Bymonitoring the network usage during a normal week it is determined thatthis is always a “low”, this time is then configured to alter thereservations.

In this traffic example all traffic received by the DU 250 is evaluatedand the time of the day (4-5 am) gives a factor of 0.5. All requests ofvoice traffic type are decreased by 50%. This means that a voicereservation for 60 s will be granted 30 s (60 s*0.5).

Decreasing the quotas will give the effect that the there will be acloser granularity session control and in-traffic notifications, i.e.more accurate, towards the user equipment. FIG. 3 is a block diagramshowing the working of the OCS according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

The OCF 130 contains an Interface Module IU 245 and a Determination UnitDU 250. Requested units of service usage are modified based onrequesting network, IU or DU computer resource utilization. Themodifying factor is determined using service determination logic in theDU.

In step 320 a Requested-Units=60 s and optionally a System-Loadparameter is received by the IU from the CTF of a requesting NE. If therequest is an intermediate request it may included an amount of usedunits granted in previous requests. The IU determines the appropriate DUand routes the Requested-Units=60 s, any received system utilizationindicator, an optional IU-system utilization indicator and any usedunits to the DU in step 330. In step 340 an account to charge for theservice is identified using data received in the request, a rating ofthe requested service is done, and funds for any used units are deductedfrom the account in the account database 370.

In step 350 a pre-analysis and service determination is done using asystem utilization indicator either received in the request 330, orotherwise available to the DU, e.g. as a DU system load value, todetermine a modification factor for use in modifying the requested unitsvalue. In this example a modification factor of 1.5 is determined

In step 360 the DU tries to reserve funds for the requested unitsmodified with the modification factor (i.e. 1.5*60 s=90 s) from theaccount.

If the reservation is successful the DU will return an answer message tothe IU in step 380 granting 90 seconds usage as units. The IU willreturn the granted units to the CTF of the requesting node in step 390.FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart showing session charging withreservation/centralized unit determination and centralized rating usingthe invention according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

There are two sub-functions for online charging that affect onlinecharging: rating and unit determination. Both rating and unitdetermination can be implemented centralized, i.e. on the OCF, ordecentralized, that is, on the CTF.

Unit determination refers to the calculation of the number ofnon-monetary units (service units, data volume, time and events) thatshall be assigned prior to starting service delivery. With CentralizedUnit Determination, the OCF determines the number of non-monetary unitsthat a certain service user can consume based on a service identifierreceived from the CTF. With the Decentralized Unit Determinationapproach, the CTF determines itself how many units are required to startservice delivery, and requests these units from the OCF.

After checking a service user's account balance, the OCF returns thenumber of granted units to the CTF. The CTF is then responsible for thesupervision of service delivery. Particularly, the CTF limits servicedelivery to the corresponding number of granted units.

Rating refers to the calculation of a price out of the non-monetaryunits calculated by the unit determination function.

With the Centralized Rating approach, the CTF and the OCF exchangeinformation about non-monetary units. The OCF translates these unitsinto monetary units.

In the following scenario session charging with reservation/centralizedunit determination and centralized rating is shown, wherein the CTFrequests the OCF to reserve units based on the session identifiersspecified by the CTF. An account debit operation is carried outfollowing the conclusion of session.

In step 405 a Request for resource usage message is received wherein theUser Equipment UE 210 requests a session establishment from the CTF 125.

A Reserve Units Request message is sent from the CTF to the OCF 130 instep 410 which may include a system utilization indicator. Depending onthe requested type of the session by the UE, the CTF selects a servicekey and forwards the Reserve Units Request to the OCF.

In step 415 a Units Determination is done wherein the OCF determines thenumber of non-monetary units needed for the content/service delivery,based on the received service key. The determination can be done usingset of selection rules e.g. a selection trees whereby the non-monetaryunits needed are determined by traversing the selection rules. Inanother possible implementation a table is used defining the number ofnon-monetary units needed for each service key.

In step 417 a system utilization indicator is accessed and the number ofnon-monetary units is modified based on the system utilization value.

In step 420 Rating Control is done. Assisted by a rating entity the OCFcalculates the number of monetary units that represent the price for thenumber of units determined in step 417.

In step 425 the account is controlled wherein the OCF checks whether theuser's account balance is sufficient for the price calculated in step420.

In the Reservation Control of step 430 a reservation is made towards theuser account for the calculated price in step 420.

A Reserve Units Response message is sent from the OCF to the CTF in step435. The OCF informs the CTF of the reserved number of units for which abalance is reserved for on the user's account. This includes the casewhere the number of units reserved indicates the permission to renderthe service that was identified by the received service key.

In step 440 the granted units are supervised. Simultaneously with theongoing session, the CTF monitors the consumption of the reserved units.

The session is ongoing in step 445 wherein the CTF maintains thesession. One or more debit and reserve operations may be performed whenthe session is ongoing.

In step 450 the session is released.

A Debit Units Request is sent from the CTF to the OCS in step 455. TheCTF requests the OCF to assure the deduction of an amount correspondingto the consumed number of units from the subscriber's account

In the Rating Control of step 460, the OCF calculates the number ofmonetary units to deduct from the subscriber's account assisted by therating entity.

In the Account Control of step 465 the OCF triggers the deduction of thecalculated amount from the subscriber's account.

The OCF sends a Debit Units Response message in step 470 wherein the OCFinforms the CTF of the actually deducted units. FIG. 5 a messagesequence chart showing session charging with unit reservation accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

On-line credit control uses two basic logical operations: Debit Unitsand Reserve Units.

Debit Units Request is sent from CTF to OCF. After receiving a servicerequest from the subscriber, the CTF sends a Debit Units Request to theOCF. The CTF may either specify a service identifier (centralized unitdetermination) or the number of units requested (decentralized unitdetermination). For refund purpose, the CTF sends a Debit Units Requestto the OCF as well.

Debit Units Response is sent from OCF to CTF. The OCF replies with aDebit Units Response, which informs the CTF of the number of unitsgranted as a result of the Debit Units Request. This includes the casewhere the number of units granted indicates the permission to render therequested service. For refund purpose, the OCF replies with a DebitUnits Response.

Reserve Units Request is sent from CTF to OCF and is a request toreserve a number of units for the service to be provided by an CTF. Incase of centralized unit determination, the CTF specifies a serviceidentifier in the Reserve Unit Request, and the OCF determines thenumber of units requested. In case of decentralized unit determination,the number of units requested is specified by the CTF.

Reserve Units Response is sent from OCF to CTF. The response from theOCF informs the CTF of the number of units that were reserved for as aresult of the “Reserve Units Request”.

Session charging with unit reservation uses the Session Based CreditControl procedure specified in RFC 4006 by the IETF. In session chargingwith unit reservation, when the “Debit Units” and “Reserve Units”operations are both needed, they may be combined in one message.

The consumed units are deducted from the subscriber's account afterservice delivery. Thus, the reserved and consumed units are notnecessarily the same. Using this operation, it is also possible for theCTF to modify the current reservation, including the return ofpreviously reserved units.

The corresponding Diameter credit control application DCCA messages forthe Debit/Reserve Unit Request operation is Credit-Control-Request (CCR)and for the Debit/Reserve Unit Response operation isCredit-Control-Answer (CCA) as specified in RFC 4006.

The Diameter Credit-Control Application (DCCA) specifies an approachbased on a series of “interrogations”:

-   -   Initial interrogation.    -   Zero, one or more interim interrogations.    -   Final interrogation.

In addition to a series of interrogations, also a one time event(interrogation) can be used e.g. in the case when service execution isalways successful.

All of these interrogations use Credit-Control-Request CCR andCredit-Control-Answer CCA messages. The Credit-Control-Request for the“interim interrogation” and “final interrogation” reports the actualnumber of “units” that were used, from what was previously reserved for.This determines the actual amount debited from the subscriber's account.

In step 505 the CTF 125 of a network element receives a sessioninitiation request. The session initiation may be done either by a userequipment or another network element.

In order to perform Reserve Units operation for a number of units(monetary or non-monetary units), the CTF sends a Credit-Control-RequestCCR with Credit Control CC-Request-Type set to INITIAL_REQUEST to theOCF 130 of an OCS in step 510. If known, the network element may includeRequested-Service-Unit RSU as monetary- or non monetary units (e.g.service units, data volume, time and events) in the request message. TheCCR may include a system utilization indicator.

In step 515 a system utilization indicator, either received in the CCRor accessible by the OCF is accessed and used to determine a modifiervalue for determining a service usage quota. If the service costinformation is not received by the OCS, the OCS determines the price ofthe desired service according to the service specific informationreceived by issuing a rating request to a rating function of the OCS. Ifthe credit balance is sufficient, the OCS reserves the amountcorresponding to the modified service usage quota from the usersaccount. If the cost of the service is included in the request, the OCSdirectly reserves the specified monetary amount modified due to themodified service usage quota.

Once the reservation has been made, the OCS returnsCredit-Control-Answer (CCA) message with CC-Request-Type set toINITIAL_REQUEST to the CTF of the network element in step 520 in orderto authorize the service execution (Granted-Service-Unit and possiblyCost-Information indicating the cost of the service andRemaining-Balance are included in the Credit-Control-Answer message).The OCS may return a Validity-Time (VT) with value field set to anon-zero value. The OCS may indicate in a Low-Balance-Indication thatthe subscriber account balance has fallen below a predefined thresholdof this account.

Content/service delivery starts in step 525 and the reserved units areconcurrently controlled by the CTF.

During session delivery, in order to perform Debit Units and subsequentReserve Units operations, the network element sends a CCR withCC-Request-Type set to UPDATE_REQUEST, to report the units used andrequest additional units, respectively, in step 530. The CCR messagewith CC-Request-Type set to UPDATE_REQUEST is sent by the CTF of thenetwork element between a INITIAL_REQUEST and TERMINATION_REQUEST eitheron request of the credit control application within the validity time orif the validity time is elapsed. If known, the network element mayinclude Requested-Service-Unit as monetary or non monetary units in therequest message. Used-Service-Unit (USU) is complemented in the CCRmessage to deduct units from both the user's account and the reservedunits, respectively. The CCR may include a system utilization indicator.

In step 535 an USU is first analyzed and the amount is deducted from theaccount. A system utilization indicator, either received in the CCR oraccessible by the OCF is accessed and used to determine a modifier valuefor determining a service usage quota. If the service cost informationis not received by the OCS, the OCS determines the price of the desiredservice according to the service specific information received byissuing a rating request to the Rating Function. If the credit balanceis sufficient, the OCS reserves the amount corresponding to the modifiedservice usage quota from the users account. If the cost of the serviceis included in the request, the OCS directly reserves the specifiedmonetary amount modified due to the modified service usage quota.

Once the deduction and reservation have been made, the OCS returnsCredit-Control-Answer message with CC-Request-Type set to UPDATE_REQUESTto the network element in step 540, in order to allow thecontent/service delivery to continue (new Granted-Service-Unit (GSU) andpossibly Cost-Information (CI) indicating the cumulative cost of theservice and Remaining-Balance are included in the Credit Control-Answermessage). The OCS may include in the CCA message a Final-Unit-Indication(FUI) to indicate the final granted units. The OCS may indicate in aLow-Balance-Indication that the subscriber account balance has fallenbelow a predefined threshold of this account.

Session delivery continues and the reserved units are concurrentlycontrolled by the CTF in step 545.

The session is terminated at the CTF of the network element in step 550.

The network element sends CCR with CC-Request-Type set toTERMINATION_REQUEST to terminate the active credit control session andreport the used units in step 555.

The OCS deducts the amount used from the account. Unused reserved unitsare released, if applicable, in step 560.

The OCS acknowledges the reception of the CCR message by sending CCAmessage with CC-Request-Type indicating TERMINATION_REQUEST (possiblyCost-Information indicating the cumulative cost of the service andRemaining-Balance are included in the Credit-Control-Answer message) instep 565. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of amethod for controlling services in a communication network according tothe invention.

In step 610 a request message for charging of a service is received inan online charging system from a charging client. The request message isincluding at least data identifying a first communication networkaccount to charge for the service.

In step 620 it is determined based on account data that the accountallows calculating the determined service usage quota attribute based ona system utilization indicator. The determination may be based on any ora combination of an account balance, subscription type, and offersbought.

In step 630 a system utilization indicator is accessed representing acomputer resource utilization value of a node involved in providing theservice. The system utilization indicator may represents computerresource utilization value of a node of the OCS or it may represent acomputer resource utilization value of a node of the charging client,e.g. network element or node including the CTF. The request message instep 610 may further includes the system utilization indicator. Thesystem utilization indicator may represent any or a combination ofrequests received per time unit, CPU usage, memory usage, powerconsumption, a degree of physical hardware failures or systemutilization during a previous time segment.

In step 640 it is determined based on at least the system utilizationindicator a determined service usage quota, including a determinedservice usage quota attribute, to be reserved for from the account. Inone example the request message for charging in step 610 furthercomprises an attribute of a requested service usage quota and thedetermining of a determined service usage quota attribute furthercomprises replacing the attribute of the requested service usage quotawith the determined service usage quota attribute. In a further examplethe step of determining the determined service usage quota attribute ofa service usage quota reserved for from the account involves setting theservice usage quota attribute value such that the time between requestmessages for charging of the service from the charging client isdecreased when the load indicator is above a first threshold value andis increased when the load indicator is below a second threshold value.The determined service usage quota attribute may be a quota size forexample time, volume, number of events and/or a validity time of thequota.

In step 650 the service usage quota is reserved for from the account.The reservation may be done by removing a monetary amount correspondingto the determined service usage quota from the communication networkaccount. The reservation may also be done by marking the monetary amountcorresponding to the determined service usage quota as not available forreservation by subsequent charging request messages. The amountcorresponding to the determined service usage quota can be determined byrating of the determined service usage quota.

In step 660 an answer message is transmitted to the charging clientincluding the determined service usage quota attribute of the serviceusage quota reserved for from the account to be applied in controllingthe service. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodimentof an Online Credit Control system OCS for controlling charging of aservice in a communication network in the form of a computing systemenvironment 700. Although as made clear above, the computing systemenvironment 700 is only one example of a suitable computing environmentfor an OCS and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scopeof use or functionality of the claimed subject matter. Further, thecomputing environment 700 is not intended to suggest any dependency orrequirement relating to the claimed subject matter and any one orcombination of components illustrated in the example operatingenvironment 700.

An example of a device for implementing the previously describedinnovation includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 710. Components of computer 710 can include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 720, a system memory 730, and a system bus721 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 720. The system bus 721 can be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures.

Computer 710 can include a variety of computer readable media. Computerreadable media can be any available media that can be accessed bycomputer 710. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readablemedia can comprise computer storage media and communication media.Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile as well asremovable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by computer 710. Communication media can embody computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data ina modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and can include any suitable information delivery media.

The system memory 730 can include computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/orrandom access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS),containing the basic routines that help to transfer information betweenelements within computer 710, such as during start-up, can be stored inmemory 730. Memory 730 can also contain data and/or program modules thatare immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on byprocessing unit 720. By way of non-limiting example, memory 730 can alsoinclude an operating system, application programs, other programmodules, and program data.

In one embodiment the Interface Unit 245 is a software module loaded inthe memory and processable by the processing unit, adapting the OCS forreceiving a request message for charging of a service from a chargingclient, the request message including at least data identifying a firstcommunication network account to charge for the service, and theDetermination Unit 250 is a software module loaded in the memory andprocessable by the processing unit adapting the OCS for:

-   (i) accessing a system utilization indicator representing a computer    resource utilization value of a node involved in providing the    service;-   (ii) determining based on at least the system utilization indicator    a determined service usage quota, including a determined service    usage quota attribute, to be reserved for from the account;-   (iii) reserving for the service usage quota from the account. The    interface unit software module further adapting the OCS for    transmitting an answer message to the charging client including the    determined service usage quota attribute of the service usage quota    reserved for from the account to be applied in controlling the    service.

The computer 710 can also include other removable/non-removable andvolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example, computer 710can include a hard disk drive that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive thatreads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk, and/oran optical disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk, such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage mediathat can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but arenot limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digitalversatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROMand the like. A hard disk drive can be connected to the system bus 721through a non-removable memory interface such as an interface, and amagnetic disk drive or optical disk drive can be connected to the systembus 721 by a removable memory interface, such as an interface.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 710 throughinput devices such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse,trackball, touch pad, and/or other pointing device. Other input devicescan include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or similar devices. These and/or other input devices can be connected tothe processing unit 720 through user input 740 and associatedinterface(s) that are coupled to the system bus 721, but can beconnected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallelport, game port or a universal serial bus (USB).

A graphics subsystem can also be connected to the system bus 721. Inaddition, a monitor or other type of display device can be connected tothe system bus 721 through an interface, such as output interface 750,which can in turn communicate with video memory. In addition to amonitor, computers can also include other peripheral output devices,such as speakers and/or printing devices, which can also be connectedthrough output interface 750.

The computer 710 can operate in a networked or distributed environmentusing logical connections to one or more other remote computers, such asremote server 770, which can in turn have media capabilities differentfrom device 710. The remote server 770 can be a personal computer, aserver, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common networknode, and/or any other remote media consumption or transmission device,and can include any or all of the elements described above relative tothe computer 710. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 7 include anetwork 771, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), but can also include other networks/buses.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 710 is connectedto the LAN 771 through a network interface or adapter. When used in aWAN networking environment, the computer 710 can include acommunications component, such as a modem, or other means forestablishing communications over a WAN, such as the Internet. Acommunications component, such as a modem, which can be internal orexternal, can be connected to the system bus 721 through the user inputinterface at input 740 and/or other appropriate mechanism.

In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to thecomputer 710, or portions thereof, can be stored in a remote memorystorage device. It should be noted that the network connections shownand described are exemplary and other means of establishing acommunications link between the computers can be used.

Additionally, it should be noted that as used in this application, termssuch as “component,” “display,” “interface,” and other similar terms areintended to refer to a computing device, either hardware, a combinationof hardware and software, software, or software in execution as appliedto a computing device. For example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, a program and a computingdevice. As an example, both an application running on a computing deviceand the computing device can be components. One or more components canreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component canbe localized on one computing device and/or distributed between two ormore computing devices, and/or communicatively connected modules.Further, it should be noted that as used in this application, terms suchas “system user,” “user,” and similar terms are intended to refer to theperson operating the computing device referenced above.

-   -   When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”,        “responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, it can be        directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element        or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an        element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly        coupled”, “directly responsive”, or variants thereof to another        element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers        refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, “coupled”,        “connected”, “responsive”, or variants thereof as used herein        may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As        used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended        to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly        indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may        not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term        “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the        associated listed items.    -   As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “comprises”,        “include”, “including”, “includes”, “have”, “has”, “having”, or        variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated        features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but        does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other        features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or        groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common        abbreviation “e.g.”, which derives from the Latin phrase        “exempli gratia,” may be used to introduce or specify a general        example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not        intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation        “i.e.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “id est,” may be        used to specify a particular item from a more general        recitation.    -   It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations,        the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the        order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in        succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or        the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,        depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the        functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block        diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the        functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or        block diagrams may be at least partially integrated.    -   Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks        that are illustrated. Moreover, although some of the diagrams        include arrows on communication paths to show a primary        direction of communication, it is to be understood that        communication may occur in the opposite direction to the        depicted arrows.    -   Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in        connection with the above description and the drawings. It will        be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and        obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every        combination and subcombination of these embodiments.        Accordingly, the present specification, including the drawings,        shall be construed to constitute a complete written description        of various exemplary combinations and subcombinations of        embodiments and of the manner and process of making and using        them, and shall support claims to any such combination or        subcombination.    -   Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments        without substantially departing from the principles of the        present invention. All such variations and modifications are        intended to be included herein within the scope of the present        invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, performed by an Online ChargingSystem (OCS), for controlling an amount of signaling between the OCS anda node involved in providing a service in a communication network,comprising the steps of: the OCS accessing a system utilizationindicator representing computer resource utilization of the nodeinvolved in providing the service; the OCS determining, based on atleast the system utilization indicator, a service usage quota, includinga determined service usage quota attribute that indicates how many unitsof service usage or resource usage the service is authorized to consumebefore the node has to send a report to the OCS, wherein the systemutilization indicator represents one or more of: requests received pertime unit, CPU usage, memory usage, power consumption, a degree ofphysical hardware failures or warnings, and system utilization during aprevious time segment; the OCS reserving, for the service, the units ofservice usage or resource usage indicated in the service usage quota;and the OCS transmitting an answer message to a charging clientincluding the determined service usage quota attribute of the serviceusage quota to be applied in controlling the service, to affect anamount of signaling between the OCS and the node involved in providingthe service.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the node is anode of the OCS, and wherein the system utilization indicator representsa computer resource utilization value of the node.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the OCS receiving a requestmessage for charging of the service from the charging client, therequest message including at least data identifying a firstcommunication network account to charge for the service, wherein thenode is a node of the charging client, and wherein the systemutilization indicator represents a computer resource utilization valueof the node, and the request message further includes the systemutilization indicator.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein therequest message for charging further comprises an attribute of arequested service usage quota and the step of determining the serviceusage quota attribute further comprises replacing the attribute of therequested service usage quota with the determined service usage quotaattribute.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step ofdetermining the service usage quota attribute of the service usage quotareserved for from a communication network account includes setting theservice usage quota attribute value such that the time between requestmessages for charging of the service from the charging client isdecreased when the system utilization indicator is above a firstthreshold value and is increased when the system utilization indicatoris below a second threshold value.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein the determined service usage quota attribute is one or more of aservice usage quota size and a validity time of the service usage quota.7. The method according to claim 3, wherein after the step of receivinga request for charging of a service, further performing the step ofdetermining, based on account data, that the account allows calculatingthe determined service usage quota attribute based on the systemutilization indicator.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein thestep of determining, based on account data, that the account allowscalculating the determined service usage quota attribute based on thesystem utilization indicator is based on one or more of an accountbalance, subscription type, and offers bought.
 9. An online creditcontrol system for controlling an amount of signaling between the systemand a node involved in providing a service in a communication network,the system comprising: a determination unit configured for: (i)accessing a system utilization indicator representing computer resourceutilization of the node involved in providing the service; (ii)determining, based on at least the system utilization indicator, adetermined service usage quota, including a determined service usagequota attribute that indicates how many units of service usage orresource usage the service is authorized to consume before the node hasto send a report to the system, wherein the system utilization indicatorrepresents one or more of: requests received per time unit, CPU usage,memory usage, power consumption, a degree of physical hardware failuresor warnings, and system utilization during a previous time segment;(iii) reserving, for the service, the units of service usage or resourceusage indicated in the service usage quota; and an interface unitconfigured for transmitting an answer message to a charging clientincluding the determined service usage quota attribute of the serviceusage quota to be applied in controlling the service, to affect anamount of signaling between the OCS and the node involved in providingthe service.
 10. The online credit control system according to claim 9,wherein the node is a node of the system, and the system utilizationindicator represents a computer resource utilization value of the node.11. The online credit control system according to claim 9, wherein theinterface unit is configured for receiving a request message forcharging of the service from the charging client, the request messageincluding at least data identifying a first communication networkaccount to charge for the service, wherein the node is a node of thecharging client, wherein the system utilization indicator represents acomputer resource utilization value of the node, and the request messagefurther includes the system utilization indicator.
 12. The online creditcontrol system according to claim 11, wherein the request message forcharging further comprises an attribute of a requested service usagequota and the determining the service usage quota attribute furthercomprises replacing the attribute of the requested service usage quotawith the determined service usage quota attribute.
 13. The online creditcontrol system according to claim 11, wherein determining the serviceusage quota attribute of the service usage quota reserved for from acommunication network account includes setting the service usage quotaattribute value such that the time between request messages for chargingof the service from the charging client is decreased when the systemutilization indicator is above a first threshold value and is increasedwhen the system utilization indicator is below a second threshold value.14. The online credit control system according to claim 9, wherein thedetermined quota attribute is one or more of a quota size and a validitytime of the service usage quota.
 15. The online credit control systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the determination unit is further adaptedto determine, based on account data, that the account allows calculatingthe determined service usage quota attribute based on the systemutilization indicator.
 16. The online credit control system according toclaim 15, wherein the determination unit is further adapted todetermine, based on account data, that the account allows determiningthe service usage quota attribute based on the system utilizationindicator based on one or more of an account balance, subscription type,and offers bought.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the requestmessage is received over the communication network.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the OCS receiving a request that identifiesa requested number of units of service usage or resource usage for useby the charging client, wherein determining the service usage quotaattribute comprises: (i) determining a modification factor based on thesystem utilization indicator, and (ii) multiplying the modificationfactor by the requested number of units of service usage or resourceusage.